davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1887-08-24
agricultural.
What Causes Scabby Potatoes?

The person who could correctly
answer this question and prescribe a
remedy would be a public benefactor.
Never have we seen so bad lot as this
year, so far, or heard as much com
plant. Some say the worms cause the
trouble. The worms are certainly there
sometimes, as we have seen wireworms
embedded half their length in the
tuber and angle-worms burrowed al
most completely in them; but whether
they are the cause or only an effect OF
the disease we are unable to say. One
thing may be noted, at least, as coin
cidence-that the potatoes are the worst
in those places most infested with
worms, 1. e., rich, moist land. One
writer we see advances the theory that
the trouble is caused by the bursting
of the starch cells, but so far as we
know the verdict as yet must be " Not
proven" Potatoes are poor and few
enough this year without the pest of
so many scabby holes; and how it makes
the housewife scowl to have such to
wash. What causes the trouble and
how can it be cured?
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1887-08-24
A Paving CrOn.


"There is no money in New Hamp-
shire farming, and the most of us
barely make the ends meet. | tell my
wife we are Just where we were when
we started thirty-seven years ago. We
have the same farm. We had nothing
else then and we have nothing else
now; but we have raised one paying
crop-the children have grown up,
gone away and are all doing we'll"
Such is the pathetic story of a New
Hampshire farmer, which might be
duplicated thousand times, we pre-
sumo, in all our New England States;
and yet, after all, as we measure the
profit and loss of such life we are in
clined to think that there is more on the
credit side than in the majority of
lives. 4" We have the same farm"
that surely is something; to go through
life and not come out the loser at the
end is much. Then there was living
gained during those seven-and-thirty
years for the father and mother and
The flock of little ones; but, above all,
when the old couple can truly say,
"The children have grown up, gone
away, and are all doing WE'LL" that is
indeed d" a paying crop" This is the
best crop, and those hills and valleys
have been raising it for centuries.
This is the crop which our nation
needs more than millions of bushels of
wheat or large crops of cotton.-Er.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1887-08-24
Lincoln and Newspaper Men.

Often when Mr.. Lincoln was engaged
correspondents would send in their
cards bearing requests for some desired
Item OF news or for the certification of
some rumor. He would either come
out and give the coveted information
or he would write it on the back of the
card and send it to the owner. He
wrote legible hand, slowly and labori-
ously perfecting his sentences before
he placed them on paper. The long
epistles that he wrote to his generals
he copied himself, not wishing any one
else to see them, and these copies were
kept in pigeon-holes for reference. OF
his remarks at Gettysburg, which have
been compared to the Sermon on the
Mount, Edward Everett has well
said: :" | would rather be the author
of those twenty lines than to have all
the fame my Grafton of to-day will give
me-" The foreign war correspondents
who came to Washington quite out
shone us resident scribes by their pre-
tensions and the style in which they
lived. The most agreeable of them
was Mr.. Edward Dyce; the most versa
tile was George Augustus Sala, and the
most brilliant was Nizitelly. Anthony
Trollope, who visited Washington on
postal business and correspondent with
a London weekly, was " English, you
know" and overlapping all others
in his estimation, at least-was DIR.
Russell of the London Times. When
the Army of the Potomac was at last
ready to move he obtained a head
quarters pass for himself and his we'll
stocked ambulance. But when he
drove down to the steamer {" Canoni-
GUS" on which transportation had been
given him, the provost guard refused,
by orders from the war department, to
permit him to embark. He fastened to
enlist the intercession of Senator Sum-
ner and Lord Lyon, the British minis
ter, who appealed to Secretary Stanton,
but found him memorable. Secretary
Seward said that he was powerless, and
Mr.. Lincoln refused to interfere, say
ing, grimly: "This fellow Russell's
Bull Run letter was not so compliment
airy as to entitle him to much favor"
Unable to accompany the army, DR..
Russell sold his expensive ambulance
and horse, shook the dust from his feet
and returned to London. Philadelphia
Press.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1887-08-24
Questions Answered.

T. W., ST. JOHNsBURY.-The at
torney fee for collecting 500 bounty
from the United States is fixed by law
at SO. 1t is paid to the attorney of
record by the United States paymaster
and deducted from the 500. General
Grant, when president, vetoed the
bounty bill of eight and one-third dol
lars month-statement of congress-
men to the contrary notwithstanding.
His veto message was printed in the
newspapers at the time. 1t is little
singular that it cannot be found among
the records at Washington.
I. j. r., CLAREMONT, n. H.-There
are soldiers homes in many, if not all,
of the Southern States for the care of
disabled confederate veterans. A few
contributions are received from north
ern people to aid in the maintenance
of such homes. The general govern
ment gives them no assistance. They
are mainly supported by people of the
South and the Southern States. Hon.
Joseph Davis of Lynn, Mass, recently
sent Robert E. Lee Camp of Confeder-
ate Veterans at Richmond, Va. $500
for the soldiers home, and he was
elected an honorary member of the
camp.
G.. s., BURLINGTON While all medi-
cal boards for the examination of ap-
plicants for pensions mean to treat the
veterans fairly and give each soldier
a rating adequate to his disability. still
it makes difference where you are
examined. Mr.. Collins of Huntington.
who was recently pensioned at $50 a
month, was examined by the board in
your city, about year ago, and his APP
plication for increase rejected. He was
then receiving SIS a month. He APP
piled for another examination, was ex-
amined by the Montpelier board and
his pension increased from IS to $50
month. Apparently he was in the
same condition Of health at each ex-
animation.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1887-08-24

The joint exhibition of the State
Agricultural Society and the Champlain
Valley Association will be held on the
fairgrounds in Burlington September
18th to 10th inclusive, and promises to
be an attractive show. The usual
prizes are offered in the various classes,
and in the dairy class an extra one by
Messrs. F. d. Moulton & Co. of New
York, the American agents of the
Ashton dairy salt, who offer $50 in
three prizes for butter sailed with
Ashton salt-S25, SIS and $40 for
first, second and third. They have also
offered prizes in several county fairs
for the same thing.
The officers of the fair have written
an open letter giving the reasons for
advancing the price of single tickets of
admission last year from twenty-five to
fifty cents, at which latter figure it is to
be kept this year. We thought it then,
and still think it, mistake. The old
state society, with a twenty-five cent
admission, amassed a surplus of $50, 900,
and with permanent for the presenD
home and good fair we think they
could count on an equal success in the
future. One reason given-that the
other state fairs charge fifty cents-is
no reason at all and is unworthy mo-
ment's consideration. If our state fair
could be carried on successfully on a
dime admission it would be no reason
that dollar should be charged because
some other state fair, or erery other state
fair, did so. A good fair is an educa-
tor (and that is the kind the society
has always had) and as many farmers
should attend as can be induced to do
so, and there are many whom the extra
twenty-five cents will prevent attend
ing. The society will no doubt get as
much money, perhaps more; but it will
be from much less number of people,
and people will stay at home who most
need to go.
But 60 to the fair. Take your best
products and compete for the prizes.
And more still-we are promised that
the last remnant of gambling devices
and drinking-booths shall be excluded
and the fair be clean place where you
can safely take your children. Let us
90 and see the fun.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1887-08-24
Theory aud Practice.

The idea conveyed by much of the
popular teaching is that farmer must
be chemist, a geologist and thor
oughly educated man in every sense;
that he must have all needed appliances
to put his knowledge in practice, Ii
brary containing all that has ever
been written on agricultural matters
and ready cash to purchase everything
that is recommended. But where are
your men? Where are their farms? In
which New England State or in what
part of any state? What has been their
success? How much money have they
made? | regret to be compelled to ask
the last question, because to scientific
man 1t must seem so very sordid. But
it is ever and anon bobbing up in I'M
expected connections, and we might as
well admit it as of the first considera-
ton in any enterprise. Therefore we
again ask: How much money has been
made by scientific farmers? When and
where? That is not too much to ask, is
it, when you urge us all to be scientific?
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1887-08-24
tuberculosis i'm Cattle.

The questions whether tuberculosis
in cattle is contagious, and whether it
renders the flesh of animals in which
the disease is present unfit for food,
and likely or possible to impart the dis
ease to people eating it, is exciting
great interest in Maine. Early this
month the cattle commissioners for that
state visited the farm of Mr.. John E.
Hamilton in Garland, and many other
gentlemen interested in breeding also
were in attendance. 1t appears that
Mr.. Hamilton's herd, consisting of
twenty-eight head of Herefords, Dur
hams and grades, has had the disease
present in it for some time, a heifer
dying in 1884 and COW in 1886. Last
March Mr.. Hamilton felt anxious about
his cattle and notified the commission
ers, who visited his herd and killed two
seven-year-old cows and a three-year-
old heifer, all of which showed signs of
the disease. Soon after this ten head,
ihooliy lhllSh CoWoj WeTt sOlu W mtssIs'
Libby & Merrill, and it is said under a
contract or agreement in writing given
to Mr.. Hamilton that the animals
should be at once taken to Brighton
and slaughtered, believing the beef
would be good. 1t is also stated that,
in violation of this contract, the cows
are kept in or near Lowell and their
milk sent to customers in the vicinity.
The Home Farm reports Mr.. Libby as
follows: Now, gentlemen" said Mr..
Libby, "look at these cattle. / bought
them and have kept them here to DEM
onstrate to the farmers of Maine that
little common sense is as good as a
little science, and that it was folly for
the cattle commissioners to quarantine
these animals or regard them as dis
eased. Now, gentlemen, am going
to gamble little. There is that
brockle-faced steer or that roam one.
Now I'll wager thousand dollars that
take that steer to Brighton market
just as he is to-day he is inspected
pronounced all right, called good beef,
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1887-08-24
Bogus Pensioners.

Reports constantly reach the pension
office from different parts of the coun-
try about individual pensioners who APP
pear to be in perfect health and are lille
gally drawing pensions. These charges
are at once turned over to the special
examiners for the localities where these
persons reside, and are generally found
to be without foundation. A recent
case was that of an officer of the Sol
ders' Home at Hampton, Va. An in
vestigation of the case showed that the
officer had been shot through the side
of the head and the whole of his Jaw
carried away. The wound was so skill
fully dressed, however, that it healed
up, leaving only slight scar on the
side of his face, and beyond this scar
and a slight imperfection in his
speech there was no intimation of the
fact that the entire framework of his
face had been shattered. Another case
reported was that of a prominent Ohio
man who was said to be drawing pen
sion without cause. The special exam
iner found that while to all appearances
the man was perfectly sound, he was
still suffering from an old wound that
he received during the war and which
untitled him for any kind of physical
eXertion beyond walking about his
house and rendering constant care and
attention necessary.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1887-08-24
Farm Notes.

"THE eyes of the rural world are
being opened to the almost uselessness
of the work performed in different
branches of the agricultural bureau at
Washington" remarks Our Country
Home. The free-seed distribution is
characterized as ga most lamentable
and outrageous fraud"
You may think you cannot write well
enough for publication, but little facts
about crops, prices, oranges and agri-
cultural interests generally can be jotted
down as you would talk them to a
neighbor, and when edited for print
they will be very interesting to farmers
in other localities. We are also glad to
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1887-08-24

We remember one in Rhode Island some
years ago, qualified in all respects-a
skillful chemist, an excellent writer on
farm topics. He made butter of the
first quality, for which he got dollar a
pound; had booded stock, modern
barns, with all the extra liXings, stylish
hog-pens, hen-houses and every other
thing according to rule, and plenty of
money belonging to another man, but
furnished freely to run the farm. Why,
the waste from his workshop would be
amply sufficient to set up in business
half a dozen scientific apprentices. Did
he make money? Not dollar; but he
sunk thousands in the ten years that he
run the concern. The fine things above
enumerated are not needed on New
England farms, nor anywhere else eX-
cept in agricultural colleges or expert
ment stations; or, if needed, there is no
money to pay for them and no time to
waste on them. What we do need are
men that will work and keep on work.
ing. Good it is to know, very good to
know; but it is good deal better to do,
even if one know less. There are
thousands of men on farms who know
nothing of chemistry, and are so far
from being able to analyze soils that
they could not analyze compound
sentence; but they have learned how
to use fertilizers by using them, the
best of all methods, and can compound
a big manure-heap and raise big crops
and make money and keep it, and at
the same time improve their farms.
How do they do these things? By
work-steady, intelligent work-and
careful savings. But work is the last
thing that some men take fancy to;
and there are more scientific farmers in
stores, offices and on city streets who
farm with steel pen than can be found
of their tribe farming with steel plow.
Why, bless your soul! anybody feels
qualified to teach farmer. | was once
button-holed by tailor in New London,
Ct, and had to stop my team in a
crowded thoroughfare and listen to a
lecture on muck. The poor fellow had
never in his whole life handled bushel
of muck and his farm was the rear end
of forty-foot front, but he assured me
in the most earnest manner that | could
"grow rich on muck" / have known
several of his kind. | also know men
who can with difficulty write a business
letter-who began with nothing and ran
in debt for their farms-who have
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1887-08-24

have our readers ask questions on any
gland Fdrmer.
If farmers would get good, well-bred
dogs great many annoyances on the
farm would be avoided, and the dog
would be among the most valuable an
finals possessed. A great wonder to
me is how so many farmers can be so
blind to their own interest as each year
to pay 81 tax on their ten-cent dogs
j. J. Reed, in National Stockmon.
A FEW days ago farmer friend re-
marked that he had several times re-
ceived large packages of seeds from
the Washington department of agri-
culture. "But," said he, tive never
think of planting them. We can't af-
ford to plant them. We want the best
seeds we can get, and don't care to risk
our time and money upon those which
are probably inferior or worthless. p
Rural Ne,C Yorker
ANOTHER fact that should receive
Commissioner Colman's attention is
this: Several tons of rotten and weevil-
eaten beans were sold for hog-feed in
1888 by a concern that we may style
Bean IL Co. Subsequently this identi-
cal conglomeration of rot and weevil
was purchased by the department for
free distribution as new and valuable
acquisitions" In 1885 another house
sold a large quantity of stale turnip-
seed at low price, having first offered
it to the department for what it was.
Subsequently this same lot came into
the possession of the department upon
payment of higher price to a third
party than had been originally quoted
to the department.-ETchdnge
HAVE used successfully the follow
ing recipe for chicken cholera. Pull
verified ginger, two ounces; black an
timony, four ounces; flour of sulphur,
one ounce; pulverized capsicum, one
ounce; sulphate of iron, two ounces.
1t wants to be thoroughly mixed. To
feed, mix tablespoonful with one pint
of meal. Then dampen with water.
This will make dose for twelve fowls,
and should be fed two or three times a
day for two or three days. If fowls are
very sick, so that they will not eat,
make pills of the mixture about the
size of full-grown peas and force six
or seven down the throat of the sick
fowl twice a day for two or three days.
Cor. Homestead.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1887-08-24
Soldiers &uoqet.
Pensions Granted.

To Oliver Bero, Braintree, an in
crease from S4 to S14 month and 1856
arrears; George II. Fuller, Montgomery
S4 month and 81 ,160 arrears; Bartlett
5. Bard, Barnet, an increase from S4 to
s. month"; Wells Corse, Waterbury,
So month and S216 arrears; Edward
I. Collins, Huntington, an increase
from IS to $50 month; Almon Under
hill, Chelsea, guardian for Whitcomb
children, $50 month and 50 400 ar
rears; Samuel G. Vorce, Randolph. an
increase from 50 to Sc a month: Leon
ard II. Folsom, Marshfeld, an increase
from S4 to So month; Truman Law
son, East Gilmore, an additional pen
sion from IS to SIC month and about
5000 arrears.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1887-08-24
ISt::
I'd /: |:
Sd t:

The result is amedicine of unusual strength
and curative power, which effects cures here
tofore unequalled These peculiarities belong
exclusively to Hoods Sarsaparlla, and are
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1887-08-24

THE best dairy is the one that yields
uniform product the year through.
No butter-maker should try to sell
white butter, and to avoid this use
Wells, Richardson & Co.'s Improved
Butter Color. 1t will always give the
golden tint of June.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1887-08-24

money to loan. Chemistry No, sir
Work - intelligent, continuous work.
That tells the story.-W. H., IN Mirror
and Farmer.
The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1887-01-06
email FARM IN MARKET.

offer for sale my farm, containing s. acres
of fine quality of land. and in splendid con-
dition, situated on MILESTONE draft, ~ miles
from Mt. Soion, or will exchange 1t for a large r
farm. The improvements are fair. and The
whole place desirable home for any one
wishing small farm. Persons desiring fur
Their particulars can learn them by calling mp
on the undersigned,on the premises or writing
to him at Mt SoloA + o., Augusta county, Va.
nov25- BINS A. II. STOHTMY ER.
The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1887-01-06

In all cases of neuralgia there are GER
tain localities where pain is more intense
these are called painful points. Rub
the painful points" thoroughly when af-
flicted with this disease. with Salvation
Oil, the great pain annihilator. Price rs
cents bottle.
The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1887-01-06
Those opposed eyes,

Which, Ike the meteOrs OF a troubled heaven,
All of one nature, of one substance bred.
Did lately meet in til intestine shaca.
Shall now. In mutual well -beseeIn Ing ranks,
March all one way. prolonged applause
Mr.. Grady's glowing tribute to Abra-
ham Lincoln brus. every man to his
feet. His graphic descriptions of the de-
featei returning Confe derate soldier was
well received, and his reference to the
comtentment of the Southern negro with
his employers made good impression.
At the close of his speech the band played
SWAY Down South in Dixie and the en-
tire company rose to their feet and gave
three cheers for Mr.. Grady and three
more for the Empire State of the Soth.
The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1887-01-06
TOwN LOTS FOR SALE.

have three exc. llent building lots remaii-
ing. fronting on Green street 70 feet and run.
ming back l25 feet. which can be purchased az
terms. Five other building lots. of same d.
mensions fronting the extension of Madi.
on street, are also for sale. Apply at olce
Oct s.. NJ. YOS1
The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1887-01-06
..nEp Bupn FARM FOR SALE.

l viii sell my farm containing 25i acres which
| is located one-mile and a half from Staunton,
Va. 1t has upon it a large frame house OF
rooms, new barn and all necessary outbuild-
ings; also large orchard. There is running
water in every field. For terms, Sc. apply to
JOHN n. OPIE,
septic Staunton. Va
The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1887-01-06
FOR SALE ana RENT,
Y,RACTIoN ENGINE FOR SALE.

wish to sell my Traction Engine and Thresh
b oinasmuch the party running 1t has de-
termined to engage in other business, and am
SO crippled that cannot give It proper atten-
castle, in fine working order. and warranted to
pull five tons over any common road.
fla purchaser is not secured, Will exchange
it for Il portable engine and saw mill
TERMS-A credit of two years will be given
with bond, well secured, bearing interest.
Apply to the undersigned at his residence
three miles north of Staunt0n. or addrts So MN
at stanton. Va. Y. L. HAhhiS.
dec9-6mOS
The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1887-01-06

AEEN WANTED TO SELL FOR THE HOOKER
NURSERIES, Established 1866 GooD PAY
ALL THE YEAR AROUND on salary or commits
sion. Send for terms. II. II. HOOKER d CO.,
noy25-8t Rochester, N. Y
The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1887-01-06

adjoining counties.
Office in County Bnrlding, Court ST, OPP
posite Court House. augz'
The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1887-01-06
V,HE WEEKLY PRESS.

rJ,HE WEEKLY PRESS.
THE BEST OF
METROPOLITAN NEWSPAPERS
ONLY 800 PER YEAR.
The Most Liberal and Varied Premium List
Ever Before Offered.
FAVORABLE COMBINATIONS WITH ALL
TIE POPULAR LITERARY AND
CLASS PERIODICALS.
THE WEEKLY PRESS is printed in bold,
clear type. 1t is staunchly Republican in pol
itics.
WEEKLY CONTENTS:
An elaborate digest OF all the news of the
week. Good original stories from the best
authors. Special articles on interesting topics.
and edited by a practical farmer.
The Helping Hand devoted exclusively TO the
interests of women In their household work,
literary culture. social advancement and en-
tertainment.
Outings and Innings caters to the pure and
healthful entertainment of young people OF
both sexes in every station of life.
The Market Reports come from every impor-
tant commercial centre and may be relied up
on as absolutely correct up to the time of going
to press.
The Var articles that have attracted SO much
attention for their interest and accuracy will
be continued throughout the coming year.
A SAMPLE COPY FREE
of both the WEEKLY PRESS and its magnif-
cent PREMIUM LIST will be sent to any address
upon application. Be sure you are getting the
most and best for your money before you SUBJ
scribe. Address;
THE PRESS CO., Limited.
dec9-6t PHILADELPHIA.